Page 29 of Our Moon
It’s a Wednesday, and we don’t practice on Wednesdays because Joey has to work that night at the home improvement store. We all have jobs we work during the day, but that’s their big stock night, so it’s the one night a week he works evenings. We all usually use that night to do non-band things like dates, or when you’re a Monroe, family night. I’m always invited to family night, but don’t always attend since it’s a constant reminder of how fucked up, and non-existent, my family is.
But tonight I’m going. Why? Because Ally asked me to.
Ally:Are you coming tonight?
Me:nah, u guys have fun.
Ally:Please? We’re playing Pictionary and the teams will be uneven. Plus, Alex can’t draw for shit and I don’t want to get stuck on his team.
Me:arent u twins? if he cant draw, doesnt that mean u cant draw either? y would i want 2 b on ur team?
Ally:We’re not identical! Plus, twins don’t share talent like they do genes.
Me:i know, i was just messing with u.
Ally:So you’ll come?
Me:yeah, if its cool with ur parents, i will b there.
Ally:They invite you every week, of course it’s cool with them! And do you realize that it takes me an extra minute to translate some of your texts?
She’s always such a ballbuster.
Me:omg. r u serious? wtf smh rotflmao so sry
Ally:…
Me:c u at 6.
Ally:Bye, Chase.
Me:l8r
I park my car in my usual spot at the curb and hustle up to the front door, it’s five after and Mrs. Monroe, as sweet as she is, is a stickler for punctuality. I knock on the door and wait, pretty sure that I’m now going to get chided for two things when she opens the door.
Annnd she doesn’t disappoint. Opening the door is an older version of Alex and Ally, well, more like Ally since she’s a female andall, but the three of them share that same sandy blonde hair and blue eyes. “What have I told you about knocking? You’re late, Chase.”
She always tells me to come right in, and as much as they make me feel like a part of their family, it still feels weird just walking into their home. “Hi, Mrs. Monroe,” I say as I walk past her into the house. I give her a quick kiss on the cheek and she tells me to go on into the dining room.
I shake Mr. Monroe’s hand and take a seat at the table next to Trevor, directly across from Ally. “Glad you can join us tonight, son,” Mr. Monroe says.
“Thanks for inviting me,” I say. It’s the same exchange every time I accept one of their dinner invitations, but I don’t mind. It’s the only stability I’ve had in my life. I look across the table at Ally, and she makes a funny face at me, I try not to laugh out loud. These are the reasons I’ve come to love the Monroes. They’re the most funny, kind, and down-to-earth people I’ve ever met.
***
“Pizza!”
“Pepperoni pizza!”
“No, it’s a cookie!”
“Chocolate chip cookie?”
“Earth?”
“Seriously!” Alex yells. “Earth?”
“Alexander, you can’t talk while you draw,” Mrs. Monroe scolds.
